Chester County native killed in Bucks helicopter crash

People react near the site of a fatal helicopter crash on Uhlerstown Hill Road in Tinicum Township, Pa., Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. The fiery crash in Bucks County has claimed the life of the pilot, who investigators said is a retired Pennsylvania state trooper. Bucks County dispatchers said the helicopter went down and caught fire before 7 a.m. Wednesday, shortly after takeoff. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

The retired state trooper who died in a helicopter crash Wednesday in Bucks County was a Chester County native and former local EMT, firefighter and police officer.

Doug Brigham, 52, who grew up in Birmingham, worked as an EMT at the Good Fellowship Ambulance Company and as a firefighter at the First West Chester Fire Company in the early 80s. He worked as a police officer at the West Chester University Police Department and later joined the Pennsylvania State Police and became a helicopter pilot after completing the agency’s flight school.

Brigham was also the great grandson of former US President Herbert Hoover.

During his time in the state police, Brigham worked at the Media barracks, the Harrisburg airport and retired as supervisor of state police flight operations at the Reading Airport.

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Brigham was killed early Wednesday morning when his helicopter crashed shortly before 7 a.m. in Tincicum, Bucks County. The chopper caught fire after the crash, officials said.

“Doug was an awesome all-round guy and good friend to everyone he knew,” said Lieutenant William Cahill of the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department, who was Brigham’s good friend. “He was a great person all around. Today is a very sad day.”

Cahill said Brigham was a very accomplished pilot who worked as a pilot for a charter flight company after he retired from the state police about two years ago.

Brian Naylor, a childhood friend of Brigham’s who also served with him in the state police, said Brigham was beloved by all that knew him.

“He was always there for everybody,” Naylor said. “It’s like losing a family member.”

Naylor said Brigham always worked to maintain his connections to Chester County and improve cooperation between local police departments and the state police.

“He did a lot to foster good relationship with the state police and local police departments in the county, like an ambassador,” Naylor said. “He was always great to everyone. He loved Chester County.”

The Federal Aviation Administration is handling the accident investigation. It wasn’t immediately clear whether there were other passengers on board.